Mike Harrison says he was “floored” when he found out Restoule native Jess Larochelle was singled out for being awarded the first-ever Victoria Cross by Canada if the Conservatives win next week’s election.

That commitment is in the Conservatives’ federal election platform that was just released.

Larochelle was a Canadian war hero who was awarded the Star of Military Valour for bravery in Afghanistan in 2006.

Larochelle saved the lives of his platoon from the Taliban

despite having a broken back and detached retina suffered in combat.

The Star of Military Valour is the second-highest military award in this country. A campaign was launched in 2021, with Harrison at its front, to lobby for an upgrade of his award to the Canadian Victoria Cross, and as of last year that effort remains ongoing.

This week that campaign received a big boost from the Conservatives’ election platform.

In the past, Canadian soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross from Britain. Canada created its own version of the Victoria Cross in 1993.

To date, none have been awarded to a veteran from this country. Harrison was elated that his fellow veteran may finally get his Victoria Cross.

“It’s wonderful that this issue is getting national attention and that they are committing to honouring Jess Larochelle with the Victoria Cross,” he said.

“It’s been 18 months since Jess passed and, in some ways, his family needs to move forward.

“I’m hopeful that all parties will get behind this mission to ensure Canada’s heroes are properly honoured. They fight for us, it’s the least we can do.”

Larochelle died in 2023 due to the injuries suffered in battle. He was 40 years old at the time of his death.